Read the latest news from regional and global sources, presenting different voices and perspectives.

Sioux Falls event leaves politics and hate at the door and invites in kindness and unity
A free event this week asks community members to gather for kindness and compassion in response to violence and political polarization in Minnesota. The recent shootings of lawmakers in Minnesota left local communities devastated, but inspired...

Mobile legal aid Justice Bus launches in South Dakota
Dakota Plains Legal Services launched South Dakota's first mobile legal aid office, the Justice Bus, to serve residents in legal deserts. Funded by a state grant, the bus helps low-income residents access legal aid for civil cases like custody...
South Dakota VFW Baseball adds state tournaments to give more youth teams a chance to play
MITCHELL — After 60-plus years of organizing state youth baseball tournaments in South Dakota, the Veterans of Foreign Wars baseball postseason is going to look much different in 2025. Gone are the past Class A and Class B region tournaments and...

Senate Republicans Smash Fundraising Record by Eye-Popping Margin
Senate Republicans’ main outside groups raised more than $85 million in the first half of 2025, blowing past every previous off-year mark. Axios reported Tuesday that the Senate Leadership Fund and its nonprofit partner, One Nation, more than...

Sioux Falls mayor says there are 'better options' for new state prison
While many argue Sioux Falls is the best location for a new $600 million men's prison, one of the city's leaders doesn't agree with that train of thought. Mayor Paul TenHaken said he believes there are better options out there. “The Lincoln County...

South Dakota AG warns of donation scams following Texas floods
PIERRE, S.D. (KTIV) - South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley is warning people to be aware of money donation scams for relief efforts following the Texas flash floods. Jackley said scammers use disaster events, such as the flooding in Texas,...

Officers shoot, injure 1 person Monday in Sioux Falls
Officials with the Sioux Falls Police Department say several officers shot and injured a person as they attempted to arrest him on July 7 near the area of West 10th Street and South Garfield Avenue. Assistant Chief Nick Cook, speaking at an 8:30...

Sioux Falls man jailed for wallet theft
LARCHWOOD—A 60-year-old Sioux Falls, SD, man was arrested about 7:15 p.m. Tuesday, July 1, on a Lyon County warrant for fourth-degree theft. The arrest of Mark Andrew Pederson stemmed from him being handed a wallet that did not belong to him by an...

Gov. Rhoden to visit Philip, Wall and Midland today on Open for Opportunity Tour
South Dakota Governor Larry Rhoden is making stops in Philip, Wall, Midland and at the 1880 Town today (July 10, 2025) as part of his Open for Opportunity tour. Rhoden will highlight the state’s rich history by visiting Midland and 1880 Town– the...

Update: Suspect hospitalized after an officer-involved shooting in Sioux Falls
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (Dakota News Now) - Sioux Falls police say law enforcement was involved in a shooting Monday evening. Update - Sioux Falls police officers arrived in the area of West 10th and South Garfield Avenue to attempt to carry out an...

Sioux Falls woman hiking to Omaha to raise awareness about threats to giraffes
Michele Mattingly, a 67-year-old Sioux Falls resident, is hiking 180 miles across the Great Plains for her favorite animal, giraffes, which are now an endangered species. Mattingly started at Great Plains Zoo on June 22 and hopes to arrive at...
Jackley warns South Dakotans about Texas flood donation scams
RAPID CITY, S.D. (KOTA) -South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley is warning people to be vigilant about Texas Flood donation scams. The AG says South Dakotans are very generous to people affected by disasters in other states. “What we’re...

One community plays role in spotting what’s coming next for South Dakota
RAPID CITY, S.D. (KOTA) - Just as swing states help predict political outcomes, certain towns across the nation act as early warning systems for the economy. One community in KOTA Territory plays a unique role in spotting what’s coming next for...
“We intend to go big” Mayor Salamun details plans to make Rapid City premiere destination for America’s 250th birthday
RAPID CITY, S.D. (KOTA) - Rapid City leaders are working to make the city a premier destination for America’s 250th birthday. “We intend to go big next year, we intend to have a lot of visitors,” said Mayor Jason Salamun. The mayor outlined a...

Republican South Dakota lawmaker removes ‘white boy summer’ social media post after criticism
A South Dakota lawmaker removed a social media post that some fellow lawmakers described as “a direct expression of racism and sexism.” Meanwhile, a legislative leader declined to act on the post and criticized the legislators who complained about...
Supreme Court rules against NOPE in prison site fight
PIERRE, S.D. (KELO) -- The South Dakota Supreme Court says a group that was trying to stop state government's plan to build a men's prison in Lincoln County lacked legal standing to bring the lawsuit. Another look inside the SD State Penitentiary...

35th Anniversary of the ADA marked in Sioux Falls
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (Dakota News Now) - The disability community in Sioux Falls is marking the 35th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Vicki Stewart is one of those people with a positive personality and who lights up the room when...

Longer vehicles face fines if parked in Downtown Rapid City
RAPID CITY, S.D. — Rapid City Municipal Government reminding owners of large vehicles that parking an downtown could land you a ticket if done so improperly. Vehicles that extend into the traffic lane could face a $25 citation and can be towed at...

Casey Crabtree files statement of candidacy to run for U.S. House
by Joshua Haiar, South Dakota Searchlight July 9, 2025 A Republican state legislator from Madison filed his statement of candidacy Wednesday to run for South Dakota’s lone seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. Casey Crabtree is the second...

‘This is our home’: Ukrainians settled in South Dakota fear they’ll be forced to leave
By Makenzie HuberSouth Dakota Searchlight WATERTOWN — It’s a simple life that seemed impossible two years ago. Now it could be in jeopardy. In the South Dakota home of displaced Ukrainians Ilona and Valerii Biliaze, sun shines through gauzy...